The Triathlon Association of the Philippines believes it can win as much as four out of seven gold medals at stake when Phnom Penh hosts the 32nd Southeast Asian Games in May next year.
"Their (athletes) performance now is based on train-to-compete or train-to-qualify and by January to April (next year), their training mode will switch to train-to-win gold in the SEA Games," TRAP chief Tom Carrasco said.

"So out of seven events, we hope to win four. That's my prediction," Carrasco said after presiding over the 2022 National Duathlon Championship held over the weekend at the New Clark City in Capas, Tarlac.

Aside from the Philippines, eight other countries took part in the event that also serves as a screening to the Phnom Penh SEA Games.

National athlete Fernando Casares ruled the sprint distance men's elite category, finishing the 5,000 (run)-2,000-(bike)-2,500 (run) race in 58 minutes and three seconds to beat fellow national team standout John Leerams Chicano (58.09) and Maynard Pecson (58.13).

In the distaff side, Raven Faith Alcoseba of Cebu stamped her class with a clocking of one hour, six minutes and 32 seconds, edging Singaporean Louisa Middleditch (1:07.10) and Merry Joy Trupa (1:08.50).

Australia, Brazil, France, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, South Africa and the United States fielded entries in the event.